Citroen Reveals E-Berlingo Multispace 106-Mile Electric Van

Citroën E-Berlingo Multispace electrifies van segment, 106-mile range

Don’t worry about CO2 emissions while hauling your friends or lots of gear.

Citroën broadens its range of electric offerings with the new E-Berlingo Multispace. The company is aiming the van at customers or businesses looking for room to haul while making zero emissions. However, a fairly low range of just 106 miles (171 kilometers) means that owners can’t take their stuff very far. The E-Berlingo Multispace goes on sale in the third quarter of 2017.

Citroen E-Berlingo Electric Van

The Multispace EV uses the same powertrain as Citroën’s existing Berlingo electric commercial van. The motor provides 66 horsepower (49 kilowatts) and 148 pound-feet (200 Newton-meters) of torque. A 22.5-kilowatt-hour battery is in a sub-frame at the rear axle, which means that the pack doesn’t affect interior space. Recharging to 50 percent takes as little as 15 minutes from a CHAdeMO rapid charging port. As a further convenience, owners can use a smartphone for controlling the interior temperature and checking the battery’s state of charge.

Inside, there’s room for five passengers or fitting 106 cubic feet (3,000 liters) of cargo with the second row of seats out of the way.

According to Citroën, the average driver in Europe travels less than 60 miles a day, so the 106-mile range is more than sufficient. However, we wonder if a van like the Berlingo isn’t a more common conveyance for long trips or for multiple deliveries.

Citroen E-Berlingo Electric Van

Plus, being able to travel 200 miles or more is becoming the general benchmark for modern EVs. For example, existing electric crossovers like the Tesla Model X can already deliver at least 259 miles (417 km) in the New European Driving Cycle evaluation, and future models like Audi’s E-Tron promise even higher figures.

Check out the wonderfully quirky E-Mehari for a less utilitarian but far more stylish EV from Citroën. With a range of 124 miles (200 km), you still can’t get very far, but the lack of range is easier to forgive in a vehicle that looks so charmingly retro.

As the benchmark leisure activity vehicle for over 20 years, the Citroën Berlingo has consistently exceeded the expectations of its customers. The new E-Berlingo Multispace keeps all of the original car’s practicality and modular design, and adds the efficiency and driving pleasure of an electric vehicle. With a range of up to 106 miles, the new model meets the needs of private customers and businesses alike, with easy charging and all the benefits of electric mobility.

The Citroën Berlingo passenger car is now available with an electric drivetrain, in the form of the E-Berlingo Multispace. The new model offers a refined, zero-emission driving experience and sets new standards in the sector for peace-of-mind and ease of use.

This new addition to the Berlingo Multispace range retains the versatile design, space, comfort and essential equipment that has made the conventionally-powered models such a benchmark in the leisure activity vehicle segment. The new E-Berlingo Multispace extends Citroën’s electric vehicle range, which already includes the C-Zero, E-Mehari* and Berlingo Electric LCV.

Powered by a compact and high-performance permanent magnet synchronous motor, the new vehicle accelerates swiftly and smoothly. The refined and comfortable ride of this versatile car is designed to meet the demands of active families, whilst adding all the advantages of an electric drivetrain.

The new vehicle’s lithium-ion battery packs are positioned in the subframe either side of the rear axle, which means the cabin layout and boot volume are retained. The E-Berlingo Multispace is fully adaptable and boasts a modular design that can accommodate up to five people, or larger loads when the seats in row 2 are folded away. The boot volume is amongst the best in class at 675 litres with five people on-board, increasing to 3,000 litres with the row 2 seats folded away. The row 2 seats can also be removed completely to create a fully flat load area.

Access to the vehicle couldn’t be simpler with two sliding side doors, plus a large rear tailgate. The tailgate has an window that opens independently, making loading the boot easier in confined spaces.

The E-Berlingo is perfect for urban and suburban use, and professional applications where there is easy access to charging points. The new model offers all the benefits associated with a 100% electric vehicle, including enviromental advantages, low runnning costs, plus taxation and parking benefits. The new E-Berlingo Multispace is equipped with the same proven electric drivetrain as the Berlingo Electric LCV, which is already in service with numerous fleet customers across Europe.

With a range of 106 miles, measured on the NEDC cycle, the E-Berlingo Multispace is perfectly adapted to consumer use – the majority of European motorists drive less than 60 miles each day.

The E-Berlingo Multispace can be re-charged to 50% of its total range in 15 minutes or to 80% of capacity in 30 minutes from a dedicated rapid charge point. This uses the vehicle’s D/C rapid charging port (CHAdeMO). The standard charge time is 8 hours using the 16 A, Type 2 cable or as little as 10 hours from a domestic 3-pin socket. The motor also provides regenerative braking when the vehicle is slowing down, helping to re-charge the batteries and reduce brake wear.

The new E-Berlingo Multispace develops 67hp (49kW) and has 200Nm of torque immediately available. The two high-capacity lithium-ion battery packs, with a combined rating of 22.5kWh, lower the car’s centre of gravity for even more dynamic stability.

For an even more user-friendly experience, the new E-Berlingo Multispace comes with remote-controlled functions for use via a smartphone. These functions include a facility that allows the driver to pre-heat or cool the interior prior to accessing the vehicle. The driver can also remotely check their car’s battery charge level.

There is also an innovative eco-driving assistance programme, which helps the driver adopt the most economical driving style to optimise range. The navigation system displays speed limits and traffic information, as well as charging points that can be reached by the vehicle based on the remaining range.

The new Citroën E-Berlingo Multispace has significantly lower running costs than an equivalent petrol or diesel powered Berlingo Multispace. The traction battery is included in the purchase price of the vehicle and offers peace-of-mind with an 8-year/60,000 mile warranty.

Available equipment includes air conditioning, parking sensors, speed limiter, tyre pressure monitoring, electronic stability control (ESC) combined with Hill-Start Assist and a 7-inch touchscreen. The E-Berlingo Multispace also features the Citroën brand’s highly-regarded in-car connectivity, with Bluetooth® and Mirror Screen technology.

The new E-Berlingo Multispace will be assembled at the Vigo production site and will go ‘on sale’ in the UK during the third quarter of 2017.

Automakers prefer to focus on the Old World markets when designing small/medium vans. And in the Old World, distances are smaller and gas costs easily 2x, making the cost/effect equation rather different.

That said, 22.5kWh in 2017 is puny and outdated. I’d say 30-40kWh will be the sweet-spot of many, many European customers.

As a kid growing up they seemed to make money selling 10,000 cars a year. How things have changed when companies cannot make anything less than 100,000 cars a year work out. Surely with all the automation and modern manufacturing, engineering,etc it should be possible to make 10,000a year at a profit? Seems not!

The Multispace version of the Berlingo cargo can is the exact same car, but with a more passenger-friendly interior.
Since the BEV Multispace has the same drivetrain as the BEV cargo version, it should have pretty much the same performance envelope. Real-world range is reportedly 70mi, with cargo but at the urban speeds typical of this class of vehicle (urban deliveries, local use by professionals such as gardeners/plumbers).

The whole floor should be batteries, if it isn’t already. It does not seem like EV drive train has matured that much, except Tesla, as none of the manufacturers seem to have a system where they can add modules to increase range. Imagine 10kWh packs that can be easily added into the floor. Now your base model is 20kWh, but for about $2k you can add 10kWh. Different length vehicle can fit more or less modules. As battery tech improves the module size decreases so you can increase number of modules.

This Citroën Berlingo is the second generation and was introduced in 2008, almost 10 years ago !

It’s completely outdated and will be replaced next year. I really don’t understand the point of introducing an electrified version now, especially with an equally outdated battery. The sales won’t even cover the marketing campaign.

This is worse than doing nothing, that car will actually give them and electric cars as a whole a bad name.